A Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) compensate the family of Mike Madu, who was slain in Imo State by an INEC driver, with N1.12 billion.
Judge Inyang Ekwo’s ruling on Friday mandated that INEC pay N1.12 billion plus 10% interest annually from the date of the judgment till the entire or final payment is completed.
A condolence letter to the family of the late Madu must also be sent by INEC, its chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and the other defendants, the judgment further directed.
“This order requires the defendants to cover the costs of the prosecution. The court’s decision will be this,” Justice Ekwo hinted.
The lawsuit was launched by Augustine Madu, the plaintiff, on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Imo State’s Oru-East Local Government Area.
INEC, its chairman, the INEC commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort driver identified as Hassan Abdul were named as the first and fourth defendants, respectively, in the modified writ of summons, which was designated FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019.
On September 18, 2019, Augustine filed the lawsuit, asking for four reliefs, one of which was that the defendants compensate Madu’s family with N1.12 billion for the illegal taking of his life.
According to Augustine’s statement of claim, Mike Madu, his late brother, was a prosperous businessman who was born in Awo-Omamma, Imo State, on June 9, 1970, to the late John and Chioma Madu.
He alleged that the deadly accident that killed Mike on June 16, 2019, was caused by Abdul, an INEC employee and driver working for the national commissioner’s office.
The relatives of the deceased decided to file a lawsuit against the accused on September 10, 2019.
To facilitate commercial chances, Augustine observed that his brother constantly moved between China and Nigeria, frequently going with Chinese investors.
Mike was accompanying two Chinese investors on one of these trips to investigate potential investments in the Enugu State Free Trade Zone.
Their Lexus, driven by Ega Chukwudi of Auto Star Transport Company, collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser Jeep, driven by the fourth defendant, Hassan Abdul, when they were travelling on the Itobe-Anyigba Motorway in Kogi State.
Abdul and Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, a police escort, were inside the Toyota when it lost control, veered into the other lane, and collided head-on with the Lexus.
After that, the Lexus was severely damaged, and the Land Cruiser crashed into a bush and caught fire.
Mike and Huang Hia Yan, one of the Chinese investors, both died after suffering serious injuries.
The corpses were then moved to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary, while the victims were transported to Holley Memorial Hospital in Ochadamu Village for medical care.
Chukwudi, the Lexus driver, received treatment at the Enugu State Orthopaedic facility, while Qu Xin Dong, the surviving Chinese investor, was hospitalised at the same facility. Holley Memorial Hospital treated Abdul and his police escort.
According to a July 16, 2019, police report, Abdul’s careless speeding was the reason behind the collision.
The Kogi State Chief Magistrate Court mandated a post-mortem examination of the deceased on July 10, 2019. Later, the lawsuit secured a warrant to bury the deceased investor and his brother.
Augustine bemoaned the lack of concern and regret displayed by INEC and its representatives for triggering Mike’s death during this time.
He underlined that his late brother supported his Chinese wife, Xiaojuan Li, and their son in addition to providing for his immediate and extended family.
He added that Mike’s family, particularly his wife and child in China, had been devastated by his sudden passing and that INEC had steadfastly declined to provide any kind of compensation.
Josephine Emumwen, an officer in the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Command, was one of the two witnesses the plaintiff called throughout the trial. On June 14, 2023, Augustine adopted his written statement and became the first witness to testify.
On November 16, 2023, he was called back for cross-examination, but the defendants did not show up for the hearing.
In a decision that favoured the plaintiff, Justice Ekwo maintained the claims and granted the compensation.
